Well folks, December, with all its merriment is well and truly here!

Does that thought fill you with joy or dread? For us all, December can be pretty extreme to say the least. Work parties, Christmas shopping, lots of drink, lots of indulgent food, then throw in the pressure of spending time with family, money worries, and lack of sleep and you’ve got yourself a big ol’ recipe for feeling pretty rubbish by the end of it all. Hence where the extreme January detoxing comes from!

But with the risk of us sounding very boring, what if you wrote yourself a few simple rules to live by in December, because sometimes when we’re in thick of it, we just need a little reminding. The essence of Christmas can get lost in amongst the need to buy the best present, host the coolest party, give our children great big piles of gifts, and really Christmas is a time of thanks, giving, and most importantly spending quality, precious time with our loved ones.

So strip away some the ‘stuff’ that isn’t needed and maybe try doing some of these to help keep you sane and allow you to float into your New Year (minus the crazy detoxing!)

G I V E  T H A N K S . Take a moment to look back on the last year. What’s changed. What did you achieve, however small it was. Who helped you out in times of need. Remember that others in the world are in much worse situations and be grateful for where you are and the people you have around you. Christmas is the perfect time to show thanks.

R E – C O N N E C T . Christmas is a great excuse for getting in touch with those you haven’t connected with for a while. Family members, friends and neighbours. Now is your chance to say hello, in a card, an email, or we’re loving the Paperless Post Christmas cards at the moment. When you do get to spend time with family, try to ignore those annoyances and embrace the special moments, even if copious amounts of alcohol are needed!

K E E P  M O V I N G . Have you felt a change in your body as the seasons change. Maybe a tight shoulder, a stiff back or some old injuries rearing their ugly heads. That can be down to the darker evenings and colder days, our bodies can tense up and go into ‘hibernation’ mode so its important to try to keep moving. Whether that be going to a class, for a big country walk or dancing the night away at your Christmas party there’s no excuse not to!

D R I N K . Not the way you’re thinking! Yes Christmas parties are in full swing, and its hard not to get swept along in the fun and games, so all we’re saying is load up on the water, which will help the hangover the next day. Try some lemon or apple cider vinegar in your water which will help rid the body of those pesky toxins. Plus we’re loving these super cool S’well bottles which make a great gift and help the environment along the way!

T U N E  O U T . Could you give up just 10 minutes of your day. The Headspace app is OUR FAVOURITE and free for 10 days. A subscription would make a great gift for those stressed loved ones. Meditation is scientifically proven to reduce stress, increase happiness, creativity, help cope with anxiety, depression and improve digestion. The list is endless. Why wouldn’t we want to be doing this everyday!

B E  K I N D . Now is a great time of year to put some kindness into practice. Gestures of kindness can be so small too and make such a difference to someone’s life. Visit an elderly neighbour, donate to a charity or just do something nice for someone.

This year we’ll be donating 10% from all the money made from items sold through our  S H O P to the homeless charity CRISIS. Check out their website, there are loads of ways to get involved.

L E T  Y O U R  H A I R  D O W N . This is a very important part of your well-being, and you know we’re all about the balance here at Tune Out. Have fun, drink another cocktail, eat another mince pie, and go dancing BUT be sure to have lots of laughs along the way.

M A Y   Y O U R   D A Y S   B E   M E R R Y   A N D   B R I G H T . . .

Laura and Katherine xx